• Loading stock data...
Thursday, October 10, 2024
The Best Employers in Sports survey is now open! Take the survey

The $5.2M Mantle

  • In 2020, a 2009 Mike Trout rookie card sold for a then-sports-record $3.94 million.
  • Cards are just one-tenth the size of the coin market and one-fiftieth of art.
Rob Gough Mantle
Berk Communications

The trading card industry started off 2021 with a bang. 

An extremely rare 1952 Mickey Mantle rookie card sold for a record-setting $5.2 million, it was announced Thursday.

Venture capitalist Rob Gough bought the Mantle, which was last sold by retired NFL lineman Evan Mathis in 2018 for $2.88 million.

This particular PSA 9 1952 Topps Mantle is one of six with an authenticity grade of 9 out of 10. The three “10” cards are reportedly in “strong hands.” 

The trading card industry entered the year riding a monumental 2020: 

  • A 2009 Mike Trout rookie card sold for a then-record $3.94 million.
  • A 1979 Wayne Gretzky rookie card sold for a hockey-record $1.29 million.
  • A 2003 LeBron James rookie card sold for a basketball-record $1.8 million.
  • That record was quickly erased when a Giannis Antetokounmpo rookie card sold for $1.86 million.

Sports cards have generated lots of buzz over the past year as investors work toward further legitimizing the asset class.

Gough told Forbes the Mantle deal was “a steal.”

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Twins Hit the Market: Pohlad Family Looks to End Four-Decade Ownership

The MLB club’s ownership is among the longest-tenured in the league.

MLB Asks DSG for Immediate Clarity on 2025 Broadcast Plans

The league seeks answers from the regional sports network operator regarding the 2025 season.

Tropicana’s Down, Now the Hard Part: Funding the A’s $1.5B Vegas Ballpark

The 67-year-old hotel is imploded to clear the way for a planned ballpark.
podcast thumbnail mobile
Front Office Sports Today

Patriots Hit Rock Bottom; WNBA Finals Begin

0:00

Featured Today

Duante' Abercrombie News Ch.4 interview

Tennessee State’s Ambitious Plan to Launch an HBCU Hockey Program

TSU has big plans, but the university is facing an existential dilemma.
October 8, 2024

Ryan Smith Sees Salt Lake City As Next Vegas-Like Sports Town

Utah Hockey Club’s owner says all the pieces are falling into place.
October 8, 2024

How the WWE’s Farm Circuit Became a Primetime Draw

NXT produces generational talent—and it occupies a new prime-time network slot.
A DraftKings sign
October 7, 2024

A DraftKings Exec Left for Fanatics. Then the Bitter Legal Battle Began

Mike Hermalyn has been sidelined at Fanatics for nine months now.
The stands at the Solheim Cup

LPGA Apologizes for Solheim Cup Fan Bus Debacle That Left Stands Half-Empty

The USA-Europe women’s team golf event teed off Friday morning.
October 3, 2022

Real Madrid President Renews Call for Super League

Real Madrid’s president believes that soccer is losing ground.
May 20, 2024

Top Sports Business Jobs This Week (May 2024)

Each week, our staff combs through the thousands of job listings from…
Sponsored

How UBS Crafts Impactful Partnerships Across Sports, Arts, and Culture

As UBS continues to expand its impressive array of sports and entertainment partnerships, the company solidifies its position as a leader in wealth management.
August 10, 2022

PGA Tour Touts Projected Earnings to Keep Players

The PGA Tour is asking its players to consider their potential futures.
August 10, 2022

Bayern Munich to Make Growth Push in U.S. Market

Bayern Munich is looking to expand its reach in the U.S.
Nintendo-logo
August 3, 2022

Nintendo Profits Underwhelm, Switch Sales Decline

Nintendo failed to meet expectations in the company’s latest earnings report.
manfred_at_microphone
August 19, 2021

MLB Owners Propose $100M Salary Floor

Major League Baseball owners have proposed a $100 million payroll minimum for MLB’s 30 teams and a lower luxury tax threshold.